The Town FilesDamascus, Virginia
Town in Washington County · population 788 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $173,500
- Household income
- $29,006
- Jan low / Jul high
- 24° / 85°
- Snow a year
- 11 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 5
- Median age
- 45.7
Damascus is a town of 788 people in Washington County, Virginia. The median home is worth $173,500, below the typical Virginia town ($298,050). It ranks easier by car than 97% of Virginia towns, better for first-time buyers than 96% of Virginia towns, quieter than 95% of Virginia towns.
How Damascus ranks
Percentile among Virginia towns with at least 500 people on The Town Files lifestyle rankings. 50 is typical for the state; 90 means better than 90% of Virginia towns.
Homes and cost of living
The median home in Damascus is worth $173,500, below the typical Virginia town ($298,050). Homes cost about 6.0 times the median household income of $29,006, which is more affordable than 4% of Virginia towns. Median rent is $730 a month. 48.3% of households own their home.
| Housing | Damascus | Typical Virginia town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $173,500 | $298,050 |
| Median rent | $730 | $1,254 |
| Median household income | $29,006 | $78,595 |
| Home value ÷ income | 6.0× | 3.8× |
| Homeownership | 48.3% | 69.2% |
| Median year built | 1954 | 1980 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 6.8% | — |
Who lives in Damascus
| People | Damascus | Typical Virginia town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.7 | 39.8 |
| Age 65 and over | 31.0% | 17.3% |
| Under 18 | 14.8% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.3% | 31.2% |
| Below the poverty line | 19.7% | 8.8% |
| Veterans | 5.8% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 2.8% | — |
| Work from home | 14.9% | 12.8% |
| Average commute | 20.7 min | 26.3 min |
| Homes with broadband | 64.8% | 91.8% |
Weather in Damascus
July highs average 84.7°F and January lows 24.1°F. About 47.3 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 11.2 inches of snow (typical Virginia town: 13.4 in). Expect about 7 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 108 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
5 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Damascus since 1950, compared with 11 for the typical Virginia town. 2 rated (E)F2 or stronger. The strongest, an EF3, struck on April 28, 2011 about 6.9 miles from the town center and killed 4. Tornadoes within 10 miles have caused 6 deaths and 50 injuries since 1950. The most recent was on April 28, 2011.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 8 times; the largest was 1.00 inches on September 7, 2023.
Severe weather in Washington County since 1996
Washington County has been included in 20 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for flood, drought, hurricane.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| January 23, 2026 | Winter Storm | EM-3631: Severe Winter Storm |
| April 4, 2025 | Severe Storm | DR-4863: Severe Winter Storms And Flooding |
| October 1, 2024 | Tropical Storm | DR-4831: Tropical Storm Helene |
| September 29, 2024 | Tropical Storm | EM-3621: Post-Tropical Cyclone Helene |
| April 2, 2020 | Biological | DR-4512: Covid-19 Pandemic |
Jobs and pay in Washington County
Washington County had 20,425 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $48,472 a year. Unemployment was 2.9% in 2023; in Damascus itself the ACS puts it at 1%.
Public schools in Damascus
3 public schools with 488 students, about 10.4 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holston High | 9-12 | 250 | 12.5 |
| Damascus Middle | 6-8 | 162 | 8.5 |
| Laurel Elementary | K-6 | 76 | 9.5 |
Towns near Damascus
- Emory, VA10.4 mi · 1,237 people · home $231,400
- Meadowview, VA10.5 mi · 861 people · home $171,300
- Glade Spring, VA10.9 mi · 1,367 people · home $174,300
- Mountain City, TN11.3 mi · 2,415 people · home $216,300
- Abingdon, VA11.3 mi · 8,376 people · home $228,000
- Chilhowie, VA13.0 mi · 1,654 people · home $153,600
- Seven Mile Ford, VA15.3 mi · 664 people · home $173,300
- Adwolf, VA15.7 mi · 1,658 people · home $143,500
Damascus questions
Is Damascus, Virginia a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Damascus scores better for retirees than 31% of Virginia towns and quieter than 95%. 31.0% of residents are 65 or older (median age 45.7).
How much does a house cost in Damascus?
The median owner-occupied home in Damascus is valued at $173,500 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $29,006, so homes cost about 6.0 times income. Median rent is $730 a month.
What is the weather like in Damascus?
July highs average 84.7°F and January lows 24.1°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 47.3 inches of precipitation a year and 11.2 inches of snow.
Does Damascus get tornadoes?
5 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Damascus since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was an EF3 on April 28, 2011. The typical Virginia town has had 11.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)